Stylish Engagement Session in Phoenixville

Erkin & Caroline

We met up with Erkin and Caroline earlier this week for a stylish engagement session in Phoenixville and Valley Forge Park. Caroline (and Erkin) may have set the record for most outfit changes I’ve had someone make at a session, all of which were spectacular. If you’re looking for some style inspiration, these two have got the… drip? Is that what the kids are saying now? Anyway, these two crushed it in front of camera. They expressed their nervousness at the start, but after a few minutes they were total naturals. Plus c’mon, look at these two! Not sure they can take a bad photo. It was just a really fun session where we shot in both Valley Forge before heading over to Phoenixville to get some photos in front of The Colonial Theater where they had their names up in the marquee. Then we walked around Phoenixville ending with a drink in Great American Pub where they got engaged.

Read more of their story and check out a few favorite photos below!

Q: How’d you get engaged? Tell us the story!

A: Caroline’s version: Erkin and I had always talked about our plans for the future and how he or I would “hope” our proposal/engagement would go. Being that I am youngest of 5 children and extremely close to my parents, I always dreamed of having my family and friends around to celebrate our engagement, Erkin did just that and more. The night before my 30th birthday parents, Erkin and I went to one of our favorite restaurants, Buckleys Tavern to celebrate. We then planned to go to my parents for my birthday celebration where my mom would be cooking her famous chicken noel for dinner, a meal my siblings and I each ask for every year on our birthdays! Erkin was insistent upon he and I grabbing drink in our town of Phoenixville before heading to my parents. When I look back on the day, I do remember thinking he seemed a bit nervous 🙂 When we got into town, I recall it being very chilly and I thought Erkin was rushing us just to get into a warm spot, little did I know I would be surprised by my close family and friends in the upstairs of Great American Pub, which Erkin had thoughtfully rented out for my birthday. I am usually very hard to surprise and Erkin knocked it out of the park. He took the time to make sure all of our favorite people were present to celebrate my special day. Unbeknownst to me, about an hour into the wonderful party I would get the greatest birthday gift of all, a fiancé. I always imagined and dreamed of the day Erkin would get down on one knee and he truly could not have done a better job. It was truly one of the happiest moments of my life. Erkin always knew how important it is to me to have my parents witness our engagement and it is something I will cherish for a lifetime. I can’t imagine a more beautiful ring and I’m so appreciative to have a wonderful fiancé who cares so deeply enough to have curated such a beautiful day.

Erkin’s version: Caroline’s 30th birthday was coming up and she loves surprises so I wanted to plan a nice birthday party get-together for close friends and family. At this point I already had the ring, and knew I wanted to propose, but wasn’t sure the best way to do it yet. Both sets of parents mentioned they thought it would be a great idea to do it at the birthday party, since the whole family would be there and we could celebrate in town after. Once this was planned, then came the how am I going to give her the ring? We had a long running joke about getting Caroline to join my AT&T family plan so we would all benefit from the nurse’s discount, and she needed a new phone. HOWEVER, she was adamant in NOT joining my plan until we were officially engaged, and it was something we joked about from time to time. I decided to put the ring box in an iPhone box and present it to Caroline as a gift about an hour into the party. When she saw the box, she was very excited and said “Omg, I needed a new phone!!” – well she then opened the phone box and saw the ring case, and I got very nervous as the room was silent with all our friends and family staring. My plan was to tell the story about the phone plan, and my goal was to ask her in a very cute way to join my family plan – but instead I got down on one knee, asked her to marry me, and she said yes! The rest of the night we had so much fun celebrating with friends and family in Phoenixville, and later that week we got her her new phone and she is now officially my fiance, and on my AT&T family plan so we reap the benefits of the nurses discount, haha. It was one of the best nights of my life and I can’t imagine it going any better.

Q: What’s the best part about being engaged?

A: Caroline’s version: There is just something about having a “fiancé.” Erkin and I joke we already feel like a married couple as this will be our 8th year together however having a fiancé just makes it that much more fun! Planning our wedding has been so exciting. We both are in love with our venue and can’t wait to celebrate with our loved ones and look forward to our future together and what it will entail.

Erkin’s version: We dated for a long time before we got engaged and I think we’ll both agree being “officially official” is a wonderful feeling. There was never any doubt, but getting engaged has helped solidify our decision and make everything feel more real about our commitment to spend the rest of our lives together.

Q: Any advice for other’s planning their own wedding?

A: Caroline’s version: I would highly recommend booking your vendors as soon as possible. I would also say don’t forget to enjoy this time because it goes by fast!

Erkin’s version: Leverage your network. Friends, family, there’s likely plenty of people that want to help you plan whether it’s design work or making recommendations for other vendors. Our make-up artist and DJ both did a great job at another wedding Caroline was in, so we feel it saved us a lot of time and also gave us confidence in our decision.

To Erkin & Caroline:

We had the best time with you both! Thanks for bringing your ‘A-Game’ and crushing it in front of camera. You both were so fun to hang with. It was great to officially meet you guys, and your parents Caroline, who were also so kind. Lastly, thanks for the drink at the end of the night! Can’t wait to show you the entire gallery, but until then we hope you enjoy this little preview from your engagement session in Phoenixville!

View more engagements here!